Over-ear Headphones: A Ranking Of The Best Wireless And Wired Over-ear Headphones For Music. Bluetooth Headphones And Other Models

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 12:09

Every year there is a growing demand not only for portable devices, but also for devices that transmit sound. Today the market is represented by a chic selection of headphones, but full-size models are especially popular. They differ in price, design and technical characteristics, which are important to consider when buying devices.

What it is?

Over-ear headphones are a convenient device for listening to music that can be used with any mobile gadgets … Unlike other types of headsets, full-size earcups are designed with full-ear cups. Thanks to them, high noise isolation is provided, and the user can enjoy surround sound.

This means that these headphones are ideal not only for listening to your favorite tracks at home, but also on the road. As for the use of this accessory on the street (during walks), it is problematic due to its large dimensions.

Advantages and disadvantages

Full-size headphones appeared on the market for a long time, so they managed to get a lot of both positive and negative reviews. Their main advantages include the following factors.

• Versatility … With the help of such a device, you can not only listen to audio files, but also play a computer game or just watch movies.
• Health safety … This type of headset does not harm the human hearing aid, since the emitters are located on the surface of the structure.
• Excellent sound insulation . Due to the fact that the ear cups completely cover the ear, the background noise does not interfere with the full immersion in music. In addition, with such headphones, you can watch movies at high volume without fear of disturbing the residents of the house.
• Great sounding . Large speakers add volume and detail to the sound.

As for the shortcomings, there are two of them - large weight and size of the device.

This causes a lot of inconvenience when using the headphones outdoors. The price of a headset can be different, it depends on the technical features of a particular model.

What are they?

Over-ear headphones are available in several designs. Now on sale you can find both regular, gaming, and monitor studio models . According to the acoustic design, they distinguish between open (designed for listening to music at home), closed (ideal for the street) and half-open headphones (have an average level of noise isolation). By design features, devices are wired, wireless, as well as foldable and stationary.

Wired

This type of headphone is considered classic. Manufacturers produce wired devices in various weights and sizes, ranging from large models to compact ones that fit easily into a pocket.

The main disadvantage of such models is the presence of a short-lived and confusing wire . Also, many users do not like the lack of a battery in the design. Despite all this, wired headphones have high quality sound and are inexpensive.

Wireless

Full-size Bluetooth models occupy a special place in the market, as no other accessory can compare with their ease of use … Such devices are usually chosen by gamers and office workers. Thanks to their versatility, wireless headphones can be connected to a tablet, player or smartphone.

The advantages of Bluetooth models include lack of a wire that constantly interferes, stylish design, built-in memory, the presence of a battery . Their cons: high cost, unexpected discharge.

Rating of the best models

Despite the fact that there is a huge range of full-size headphones on the market, not all of their models are in great demand. This is due to poor quality or insufficient technical characteristics. Therefore, when choosing this device, it is important to take into account the positive reviews about it. So, the following models have proven themselves well.

JBL E55BT . These wireless earbuds are foldable and stylish. Their headband is made of soft material, ear cushions are made of eco-leather. The headband is conveniently adjustable with special retractable bows.

Advantages: high-quality, bright sound, the ability to work offline for up to 20 hours. Disadvantages: inconvenient arrangement of buttons on the control panel.

SVEN AP-B770MV . These Bluetooth headphones have a light weight (210 g), long battery life (22 hours) and a sensitivity of 106 dB. This full-size model has a special turtle shell design. The bowls can be rotated horizontally by 90 °, vertically by 45 °. The design provides a volume control and a connector for recharging. The downside is poor sound insulation.

Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC … These are budget headphones that can be connected to the player via Bluetooth and a cable, their weight is 238 g. In stand-alone mode, the headphones can "hold out" without recharging for 25 hours. Pros: Great build, affordable price, and good sound. Cons: Too soft ear pads, buttons look cheap.

Plantronics BackBeat PRO 2 . Considered one of the best full-size wired headphones. They have monitor ear pads, have a sensitivity of 93 dB and weigh 289 g. Many users like the stylish design of these headphones and the convenient control, which is carried out through dedicated buttons. In addition, this model provides an open Mic function, thanks to which you can hear what others are talking about. Disadvantage: the presence of wood-like inserts in the design, which not everyone likes.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless . With their large size, active noise cancellation and good sound, these headphones work great without interruption, even at a distance from the sound source. The device is equipped with a high-quality battery that charges quickly (about 10 minutes), in stand-alone mode, the headphones can work for 40 hours. The body of the device is made of plastic, the upper part of the headboard and cup is trimmed with it, the attachment to the head is provided by a durable metal part, which has 10 steps of size adjustment. Advantages: stylish design, powerful sound processor, ergonomics, good equipment.

Disadvantages: low volume, no sound notifications when choosing robot modes, small ear pads.

Pioneer SE-MS7BT … Available in retro style, these wired headphones are available in multiple colors (black, silver, brown), weighing 290g and featuring an extended frequency range. The ear cushions and headband are covered with eco-leather, so they are very comfortable to use. The disadvantages of the model include average noise isolation.

Sony MDR-7506 . They are full-fledged wired headsets that can be used both for listening to your favorite tracks at home and for professional work with sound. The headphone speakers have a large diameter, therefore, due to the closed structure, no background noise is heard. The manufacturer produces this model with a universal folding design, which allows them to be conveniently stored. Pros: high-quality sound, good build, stylish look, high durability. Cons: the material of the ear cushions is not very pleasant to the touch.

SHURE SRH1540 … These closed-back headphones are premium class and are ideal for use at home and in recording studios. The device has an extended frequency range, which provides excellent stereo effect and natural sound. Advantages of the model: ease of use, light weight, smooth sound, simple design and high build quality. Disadvantages: predominance of middle bass.

Round off the review with full-size headphones HiFiMAN Sundara . They are considered an excellent choice because they provide high quality music reproduction. This model can appeal to both pop and rock fans. The main advantages of the device include excellent sound, chic design, manufacturability and the ability to connect to any sound source. Disadvantages: high price and heavy weight.

How to choose?

In order for full-size headphones to reliably serve for a long time and please with excellent sound, there are many nuances to be taken into account when choosing them. This applies primarily to price, purpose and performance. Today, manufacturers produce full-size studio, gaming and audiophile models. Therefore, before purchasing this accessory, you need to decide what it will be intended for.

If you plan to use the headsets for professional purposes, to work with sound in studios, then you need to choose multifunctional wireless models that would allow you to hear the smallest details of the track.

For detailing audio files, monitor headphones are also well suited, which are much cheaper compared to studio headphones.

For fans of computer games, the right choice will be special gaming models that can be found on the market in a huge assortment … When choosing them, you need to pay special attention to sound emulation (the ability to play stereo sound in 5.1 and 7.1 formats) and the presence of a microphone (very important for online team games, where gamers often communicate with each other). In addition, it is also important whether it will be a model with or without a drive. Wired headphones are inconvenient to use due to limited movement, while wireless ones require constant recharging and are heavy.

The main technical characteristics of the device also play a huge role in choosing a particular model

• Frequency range … The reliability of the audio signal reproduction depends on this indicator. The standard frequency range is from 20 to 20,000 Hz, in gaming models it can reach 27,000 Hz.
• Impedance (resistance) … Typically, all headphones have it between 16 and 600 ohms. The lower the power of the sound source, the lower the resistance. For a smartphone, you can buy headphones with an indicator of 48 ohms, and for listening to music on professional equipment - from 300 ohms.
• Sensitivity . The sound volume depends on it. The higher it is, the louder the sound will be.